Political Rant Number 1: Homeschool Rights

I do not normally rant, or even care much, what people think or say about the fact that I homeschool my children.  Either why or how, as a matter of fact.  I do, however, answer questions from those who are curious or truly interested in what we do.  I do not entertain the rude people, or those who ridicule or are just nosy.  I do not extend my opinions to those who choose to send their child to public school, and I expect the same respect in return.

So, what am I all hot and bothered about?  Some political figure in Ohio, you can Google her name if you want, tried to get a bill passed that would say that anyone who wanted to homeschool their child, in Ohio, had to have Social Services OK it first.  Are you kidding me?  As if that was not bad enough, then I made the mistake of reading comments made by ignorant people who have no knowledge of anything apparently, on how this should be because all those wacky homeschoolers just abuse their kids, thump their Bibles, and teach that the Earth is only 6,000 years old.  And those are just the ones I took the time to bother and read.  There were more.

I know, I know homeschoolers pull their kids out of public school so we can hide them in a closet, make them work hard labor in the fields, abuse them with hot irons, starvation and refusal of medical care.  Really, why would we not have to be investigated just because we want to educate our children in the way we see fit?  Come on, educate yourself, before you get on your high horse of stupidity.  It is a beautiful horse and you ride it so well.

Child abuse is an all encompassing epidemic.  It effects all races, religions, and even educated well off people abuse their children. Homeschooling is a RIGHT.  You, nor the Government has the  RIGHT to try and take that away from anyone.  Once you start to trounce the rights of one group of people, be very careful for your precious rights may get trounced on too. 

If someone is suspected of child abuse, fine take the proper steps to eradicate it, but keep your hands off homeschool rights.  You might find we don't like having our rights trounced on.

Florida Homeschool Laws and Letter of Intent

Since Caitlin will be starting kindergarten, I have to send a letter of intent for her. In the state of Florida, your child does not have to star officially schooling until they are six years old, by February 1st. Caitlin is 5, and will not be six until May 2010, so technically that means she does not need to be enrolled in any school, in Florida, until February of 2011. Why would that matter to a homeschooler? Well if you send your letter of intent, before your child meets the guidelines, then you have to keep a portfolio, and have the child evaluated at the end of the year. If you choose not to send a letter of intent, then you can still do schooling, but will not have to keep records, or do an evaluation. I have opted to send a letter of intent, and just start doing it. It is easier for me, then to not to. A letter of intent is specific and should meet the following requirements. The parent shall notify the district school superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education program. The notice shall be in writing, signed by the parent, and shall include the names, addresses, and birthdates of all children who shall be enrolled as students in the home education program. The notice shall be filed in the district school superintendent's office within 30 days of the establishment of the home education program. Section 1002.41(1)(a)

Just for review purposes, for anyone who might visit from Florida, and are interested in homeschooling their child. Here is the Florida state law, in regards to homeschooling.

1) A "home education program" is defined in s. 1002.01. The parent is not required to hold a valid regular Florida teaching certificate. (a) The parent shall notify the district school superintendent of the county in which the parent resides of her or his intent to establish and maintain a home education program. The notice shall be in writing, signed by the parent, and shall include the names, addresses, and birthdates of all children who shall be enrolled as students in the home education program. The notice shall be filed in the district school superintendent's office within 30 days of the establishment of the home education program. A written notice of termination of the home education program shall be filed in the district school superintendent's office within 30 days after said termination. (b) The parent shall maintain a portfolio of records and materials. The portfolio shall consist of the following: 1. A log of educational activities that is made contemporaneously with the instruction and that designates by title any reading materials used. 2. Samples of any writings, worksheets, workbooks, or creative materials used or developed by the student. The portfolio shall be preserved by the parent for 2 years and shall be made available for inspection by the district school superintendent, or the district school superintendent's agent, upon 15 days' written notice. Nothing in this section shall require the district school superintendent to inspect the portfolio. (c) The parent shall provide for an annual educational evaluation in which is documented the student's demonstration of educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability. The parent shall select the method of evaluation and shall file a copy of the evaluation annually with the district school superintendent's office in the county in which the student resides. The annual educational evaluation shall consist of one of the following: 1. A teacher selected by the parent shall evaluate the student's educational progress upon review of the portfolio and discussion with the student. Such teacher shall hold a valid regular Florida certificate to teach academic subjects at the elementary or secondary level; 2. The student shall take any nationally normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher; 3. The student shall take a state student assessment test used by the school district and administered by a certified teacher, at a location and under testing conditions approved by the school district; 4. The student shall be evaluated by an individual holding a valid, active license pursuant to the provisions of s. 490.003(7) or (8); or 5. The student shall be evaluated with any other valid measurement tool as mutually agreed upon by the district school superintendent of the district in which the student resides and the student's parent. (2) The district school superintendent shall review and accept the results of the annual educational evaluation of the student in a home education program. If the student does not demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate with her or his ability, the district school superintendent shall notify the parent, in writing, that such progress has not been achieved. The parent shall have 1 year from the date of receipt of the written notification to provide remedial instruction to the student. At the end of the 1-year probationary period, the student shall be reevaluated as specified in paragraph (1)(c). Continuation in a home education program shall be contingent upon the student demonstrating educational progress commensurate with her or his ability at the end of the probationary period. (3) A home education program shall be excluded from meeting the requirements of a school day. (4) Home education students may participate in interscholastic extracurricular student activities in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.15. (5) Home education students may participate in the Bright Futures Scholarship Program in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1009.53-1009.539. (6) Home education students may participate in dual enrollment programs in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1007.27(4) and 1007.271(10). (7) Home education students are eligible for admission to community colleges in accordance with the provisions of s. 1007.263. (8) Home education students are eligible for admission to state universities in accordance with the provisions of s. 1007.261. (9) Home education program students may receive testing and evaluation services at diagnostic and resource centers, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1006.03.

Petition To Change Florida Virtual Homeschool Laws

Before I get to the topic, I must say I was stunned last night when Adam was in the bottom two, on American Idol. I just could not believe it. There I got that off my chest, now on to other things.

Florida offers children a Virtual Homeschool option. Many parents choose this option, as it is free, and you do not have to worry about planning a curriculum. The child must be in at least fifth grade, though they are adding younger grades, for the next school year, and attend public school for at least one year. That last sentence is where the problem arises. Why should a parent, who wants to homeschool their child be required to enroll them in public school for one year, only to pull them out a year later. We can make all kinds of assumptions as to why that rule is there, but that is another topic. There is a petitition going around to amend this law. Governor Charlie Crist has signed the petition, as have I. I do not use the Virtual Homeschool option, but that does not mean I won't in the future. I also feel it is unfair, and a means to control homeschoolers, and should be removed. If you would like to show your support, and sign the petition you can go here. Thank you in advance for anyone who can support this issue.

Tomorrow is test day, so I have no lesson plans to post. Have a great day, everyone.

The Right To Live!

Okay so why am I blogging about something so serious? Because I think it is an important issue. We have all heard about the right to die, and the controversy that surrounds it. I will not go into my feelings about that, as that is another whole topic. However, what about a persons right to live, even when their seems to be no hope. I am sure you have heard, or even experienced stories about people being told, there is no more treatment that can be done, the case is hopeless, or because of age treatment is not sought. But what about their right, to say wait a minute, I am not ready to die. I want everything that can be done to be done, regardless of the outcome. There was a story, in my local newspaper, about a young boy, about 13 who had terminal cancer. He had come to the end of his disease, and at some point had obviously become unconscious, because he was placed on a Ventilator, and IV medications to make his heart keep beating. At some point the Doctors came to the conclusion, that he was brain dead, and was only being kept alive by artificial means. They requested the parents, to discontinue treatment, which they refused to do. The Hospital has take the family to court, asking the courts to allow the hospital to end the treatments being provided. There has been no ruling yet, but this is how I feel. The hospital initiated the treatment, now they have to keep it going whether they like it or not. I am sure it is expensive, and causing great cost, however it is not their place to say when someone dies. This boy could live, whether you agree with the interpretation of alive, for some time with the treatment. Eventually his heart will give up, even with the medication, and so will his lungs, despite the breathing machine and he will die naturally. This is his parents wishes, and I think that should be respected. I do not think medical professionals should be able to tell someone when they have to die, if they are willing to continue treatment. It is as much a right to live, as it is a right to die, in my opinion. So what do you think, about this topic?

Lesson plans for 11/13/08:

Reading: Read chapter 7 of Pirates Past Noon
Writing: Write a story about giving a dog a bath
Health: Home safety hazards
Language Arts: Phonics review, glossary use
Math: Multiplication, addition, subtraction, number order
Spanish: Food and utensils
Music: 30 minutes

If we did not get to art class on 11/12/08 it will be done on 11/13/08

New Jersey Law Requires Flu Vaccine For Young Children

The state of New Jersey, has passed a law requiring, children be vaccinated with the Flu Vaccine. If your child needs to go to preschool, school, or even day care, you will be required to give them the Flu shot, in New Jersey. I know there is a lot of controversy over vaccines, in general. Some people feel, the Mercury, in older Vaccines caused such illnesses as Autism, Asthma, Developmental Disabilities, ADD, etc. While all reports say Mercury is no longer in current vaccines, the controversy still exists. Most studies, also show that Mercury could have never caused these conditions. However, there are parents who are still reluctant to get standard vaccines, such as MMR, HIB, Prevnar, etc. How do I feel about this? My children, both have had the basic standard vaccines, such as Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Polio, and Chicken Pox. The Chicken Pox I did not want, but was made to believe it was mandatory, which at the time was not. My children have not received Prevnar, nor will my daughter get Gardisil, and definately not the Flu shot. The Flu is not a deadly disease, it is treatable. Not only that the vaccine, is not accurate. They never know for sure, which strain will actually be the strain that makes people sick. Sometimes you just have to let your body deal with illness, naturally, not by man made resources. If your body is never exposed to an illness, it will never learn to respond naturally to one. Children under the age of 6 months, should not receive the Flu vaccine. Pregnant women, or anyone who is allergic to eggs, should not receive the Flu vaccine. Be sure you are aware of these things, before you accept a Flu vaccine. I would never tell someone not to vaccinate their child, it is your choice, and that is my main argument here. No state should have the authority, to tell you that you have to have a Flu vaccine. The major illnesses, are a different thing in my opinion, because they are severely deadly, should you catch one of them. One more note, people who are already immuno suppressed, are recommended to get the Flu vaccine. The reasoning, is because they already have a decreased ability to respond to infection, and the vaccine may help them to not get the Flu, which for them may cause severe illness, or even death. Be knowledgeable, know what you are being given, and then make a decision, based on what is best for you.

Tomorrow, is test day, so I have no lesson plan to post. Tomorrow I will be adding contest updates, review of our first 30 days of school, and a cute pumpkin cake that is easy to make.

Homeschooling Record Keeping Does Your State Have Requirements?

I am curious about homeschoolers in other states, and record keeping. Does your state have strict laws, about record keeping, or just relaxed on the issue? Here in Florida, you have to keep all school work, per homeschooled child, for 2 years. The school district can request, to come in and inspect, but they have to give at least 2 weeks written notice. At the end of each school year, a certified teacher must do an evaluation, of your portfolio and submit it to the school. You can also take the standardized test, or have your child evaluated by a psychologist. Because there are no laws, stating what a homeschooled child has to learn, only that they are showing progress in their learning activities, the portfolio can contain whatever you choose to put in it. I am getting ready to do my first evaluation, in September. I have just started putting the portfolio together. So how about in your state? Do you have to keep specific records, for the state?